Run Away and Pursue

Ch. 7 "A Thanksgiving Afternoon."

I don't own Naruto, but I wish I did.

She had to leave.

Sticking close to friends and people she cared about seemed like a good idea when she just woke up from her sleep; had heard Naruto's calm voice in her ears and allowed herself to think everything was going to be all right.

After being awake for an hour, Hinata was thinking more clearly.

Sticking around Sendai was going to get her killed.

She tossed several sweaters in her duffel, dropped jeans on top of the pile and hurried to the closet.

There wasn't much she was worried about keeping.

Not much that meant enough to bring with her to another place.

She grabbed a box form the top shelf and opened it, upending a pile of blankets and sheets.

Her shoulder throbbed as she scooped them up and threw them into a pile on the bed and carefully set the box down.

She was tempted to open another small box that was inside; to look at the few photos she had of her family.

To stare into their lined faces and look into their blank eyes.

Imagine what they might've become if she hadn't watched them die and made the decision to turn her life around.

If her mother wasn't killed, would she be following her examples?

If Hanabi didn't overdose, would they be arguing over the last dose of thrill?

If Hiashi wasn't shot in front of her, would she be disowned?

If she was, would that make Hanabi not follow her?

She had made a lot of poor choices in her life.

Sasuke was a prime example of that.

When Hinata had fled Okinawa to escape him, desperation had done what years of hard partying and getting high could not.

It had forced her to reassess her life and realize that was not where she had wanted to be.

And now, she was being ripped of the one she had always wanted.

When she thought of leaving, all she felt was emptiness.

The phone rang as she shoved T-shirts into the duffel bag but she ignored it.

The last thing she wanted was another conversation with Naruto; another heart-jerking discussion with Keiji.

She had heard the anxiety in Keiji's voice and the worry in Naruto's when she spoke with him.

The period of adjustment wasn't easy on either Naruto or Hinata.

She found herself wanting to make more promises to Keiji, wanting to assure him that she would be at school when he returned, that she would be there to help him with his math, to talk to him during recess, to offer the stability and familiarity he craved for.

She sighed as she zipped the bulging bag and dragged it into the living room, telling herself that she was not abandoning Keiji.

He had a father, grandparents, people who loved him.

Something she didn't have.

He didn't need her, and she didn't have to feel guilty about leaving.

So why did she?

Was it because when she looked into his eyes, she saw herself when she was young?

A little shy, a little scared, a little unsure?

Desperately wanting an adult to point her in the right direction and help her make the kind of decisions that wouldn't lead her into the life her mother had lived or her own when she was younger than she was now?

"But Keiji has that. He just doesn't know it yet." Hinata muttered as she rushed into the kitchen and opened the freezer. "So stop feeling guilty, find someone to give you a ride to your car and get out of town while you still can."

Hinata reached into the ice cube bin and pulled out two plastic wrapped wads of cash in a Zip-Loc bag.

She had learned this trick from Sasuke; one of the few things she actually found useful.

A sharp knock sounded at the door of her apartment as Hinata shoved the money in her purse.

She froze, her heart beating at a sickening pace as she imagined Sasuke standing outside the door, waiting for her to open it.

"It's not Sasuke. He's too smart to barge into Kurenai's house when she's got a bunch of guests for Thanksgiving." She mumbled, trying to convince herself, instead of the possibility of it being the truth.

The knock sounded again. Hinata jumped.

It was Kurenai. Or Naruto and Keiji, though she had doubts that they were her visitors.

She hesitated, her hand on the doorknob, her pulse still racing. "Who's there?"

"Naruto and Keiji. We brought you a Thanksgiving feast." Naruto joked. "Come on, open up."

Her heart jumped in response, her stomach twisting in half anticipation and half anxiety.

Tell them to go away. Tell them you're not up to visitors.

She should.

Hinata knew it, she had told Keiji she was hungry.

Had told him that a turkey dinner sounded great.

She nearly invited him to bring one over, telling him it was up to Naruto whether or not they delivered Thanksgiving dinner to her house.

What was she thinking?

Of course Naruto would not agree to leave his parents and sister just to give her a meal.

Or would he?

Naruto made it clear that he owed her a debt of gratitude. He had gone as far as call Hinata family.

Of course Naruto would come and bring her dinner!

Which brought her back to her first though—what had she been thinking?

"Hinata?" There was a note of concern in Naruto's voice and she wondered if he'd go away if she kept silent long enough.

More likely, he would just break the door down to make sure she wasn't passed out on the floor.

"Just a second." She glanced at the duffel bag and decided she didn't have time to drag it back to the bedroom.

Not that it mattered.

Naruto knew she might be leaving Sendai, and she hoped he wouldn't try to talk her out of it.

She unbolted and unlocked the door and pulled it open.

"Hey. Come on in. Sorry about the mess. I wasn't expecting company."

"If this is a mess, then I'd like to see your version of neat." Naruto laughed as he and Keiji stepped into the apartment.

He scanned the room, his gaze touching the couch, pillow and blankets that lay there.

The duffel near the hall and Hinata's purse on the rickety table and the Zip-Loc bag with plastic bags peeking out of it.

Could he see what was in them?

Just the thought made Hinata's cheeks heat and she scooped up the blankets and tossed them on top on the purse.

She gestured her hand to the couch. "Go ahead and have a seat."

Naruto raised his brow but he didn't comment.

"Here, Ms. Hyuuga." Keiji held out a large plastic Tupperware "My aunt had all her medicine in it, but we washed it our real good before we put the food inside."

"Oh, well, thank you. Is your aunt sick?" Hinata accepted the container.

"She had cancer, but is in remission now." Naruto's deep blue eyes staring into Hinata's lavender, asking questions she had no intention of answering.

"The medicine is mostly vitamin supplements and herbals that she takes. All boxed and bottled, so don't worry that the food was contaminated with it."

She looked away, walking to the kitchen. "I'm sorry she was so sick, but I'm glad she's doing better. I'll just transfer the food in another container and wash this one out so you can take it back to her."

"Let me." Naruto followed her to the kitchen and took the container out of her hands. "Where are your plates?"

"Right over the sink, but I can take care of myself."

"Sure you can, but I'm here, and I don't mind helping." He grinned as he pulled a dinner plate form the cupboard, and Hinata's pulse kicked up a notch.

"Naruto, I really—."

"What?" he looked up from the plate he was covering with plastic wrap.

There was no sense telling him she didn't want the help.

In a few minutes, he and Keiji would be gone and she would be on her way to a new life that didn't include any of them.

"Never mind."

"I saw the duffel bag in the hall. I guess you changed your mind about staying." Was that a hint of sadness in his tone?

"Are you going somewhere, Ms. Hyuuga?" Keiji hovered just a few feet away, watching her with the same wary look he'd had first day of school.

Poor kid; caught between two lives, two worlds, and trying to figure out where he really fit in.

That was something Hinata understood; something that resonated with her. Her old life and her new life could not coexist.

To survive, she would have to give them both up.

She put a hand on his cheek, forcing a smile she didn't feel. "I'm going on a road trip while I recuperate from my injury, dear."

"Will you be gone long?" His eyes were wide.

"I don't know." Hinata said truthfully.

"You're not coming back, are you?"

That caught her off guard. She didn't want to lie, but she didn't have the heart to tell him the truth either.

"A road trip is just that—a trip." She patted his cheeks lightly. "Now, come sit down on the couch and tell me all about your Thanksgiving. Did you eat a lot?"

Keiji didn't look convinced, but he followed her into the living room and perched on the edge of the couch. "No, I wasn't hungry."

"Not hungry? On Thanksgiving?"

"The food wasn't the same."

"Oh?" Hinata peeked at Naruto with raised brows.

"We usually don't have turkey. We eat chicken. Mom doesn't like turkey."

He must've realized what he said seconds after the word came out. He blushed, his cheeks bright pink as his gaze darted to Naruto, who seemed to be completely focused on the plastic container he was washing in the sink.

He wasn't oblivious to the conversation, though.

Hinata could tell that his movements were short and tight as he ran the soapy container under water again and again.

Poor guy.

It couldn't be easy for him to heart the woman who'd kidnap his son referred to as 'Mom.'

"Do you like turkey?" She asked, hoping to move the conversation to more of a neutral territory.

"No."

"Then maybe next year your dad can make turkey and chicken."

"I guess." Keiji's response wasn't enthusiastic, and Hinata scrambled for something else to say. Something that wouldn't touch on the fact that Keiji's life had been turned upside down.

Finally she thought up of something that was safe. "Are you going back to school Monday?"

"Dad said maybe, but I don't know if I want to." Keiji shrugged.

"Why not?" A frown was beginning to appear on Hinata's face.

"You're not going to be there." Keiji bluntly said. "So I don't want to go."

"Keiji," she started, but there was nothing she could say that would make him feel better; nothing she could do that would ease her guilt. "You'll be fine without me."

"I guess." He responded, looking at Naruto again. "Are you having a great break, Ms. Hyuuga? Besides what happened last night, I mean."

"I am now!" Hinata chirped, trying to shift the mood around. "Thanksgiving turkey and good friends are always a great way to spend the holiday!"

She offered a smile and was pleased when Keiji returned it.

She reached out and pulled him into a hug. It wasn't something she would normally do, but she normally wasn't leaving for good.

Normally, she wasn't saying goodbye forever.

Hinata backed off immediately and saw that Naruto was watching. "Sorry about that. Keiji's just such a sweet kid."

"No need to apologize. I'm sure Keiji appreciated the hug, didn't you squirt." Naruto gave a sideways smile.

Keiji nodded but didn't speak again. He just stood and moved a few steps closer to the door.

"I guess it's time to get out of your hair." Naruto began to furrow his brow and gave a small apologetic smile.

"I appreciate you coming by and bringing me something to eat." Hinata nodded, understanding what he meant.

"It was no problem. But you may have some explaining to do with your landlady." Naruto gave a low chuckle. "When she let us in, she said you told her you were in too much pain to eat."

"I was!" Hinata flushed. "When she asked if I wanted to join her family celebration."

"I see." He glanced at Hinata's suitcase. "Do you have a ride out of town?"

"Not yet. I'm going to call Gaara and see if he'll tow my Ford here. It's still at my house."

The house that she was going to abandon.

The one she hoped would go to a family that would love it as much as she did.

"Why don't I give you a ride instead?"

Hinata shook her head, glancing at Keiji. "It's better if we say goodbye now."

"For who?"

Naruto's eyes were a bit narrowed. He was angry. His question speared her heart, and she felt like a coward, running away from a little boy who obviously needed her in his life.

"It'll be fun to go for a ride before you leave, Ms. Hyuuga. Don't you think?" Keiji smiled, and she didn't have the heart to refuse.

"Of course."

"Great. I'll get your bag. Is there anything else you need to bring?" Naruto took the suitcase from her hands.

Hinata felt Naruto's rough skin brush hers.

"No, thank you." She might've said more, but her throat was clogged with tears she didn't want to shed.

"What about the turkey we brought you?" Keiji asked, reminding Hinata. "Don't you want to bring it with you?"

Hinata mutely nodded and ran into the kitchen, grabbing the plate.

"Can you carry this down for me?" She handed it to Keiji and he beamed with pride as he accepted the assignment.

"Sure!"

"Thank you." She shrugged into her coat, wincing as her shoulder protested the sudden movement. She then grabbed her purse and showed the plastic bags of cash as far inside the purse as she could.

Naruto watched from the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"All set!" She said brightly, stepping out into the hall.

The sound of people laughing and talking drifted up the stairs. Kurenai's family get-together was in full swing, the raucous cheers coming from the downstairs living room, echoing a sport's announcer's frantic play-by-play.

Hinata had barely stepped down the last stair when Kurenai peered out of the living room, her shrewd gaze taking in the suitcase, the father and son, and Hinata wearing a coat and ready to run.

"Hinata! What in the world are you doing?"

Hinata winced at her volume. "Naruto is going to take me over to the house to get my car."

"And you need a suitcase to do that?" Kurenai's eyebrows were knit together and a small frown on her face.

"I'm going away for a few days." Hinata felt a new profound guilt.

"You didn't mention that earlier." Kurenai flatly said.

"I just made the decision." Hinata cleared her throat.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea." Kurenai stepped out of the living room. "You're injured. You should be in bed, recovering, not gallivanting all over creation!"

"I won't be gallivanting." Hinata smiled at that word. "I'll be driving."

"You know what I mean." Kurenai's cool stare made Hinata feel ridden with guilt.

"I know." Hinata's tone was soft. "I'll be fine."

"You'll be back on Monday?" Kurenai's gaze relaxed and a small smile reached her lips.

Hinata hesitated and spoke slowly. "I haven't decided yet, but I'll call you once I'm sure of my plans."

She would call, but only to explain that she wasn't coming back.

Hinata swallowed the lump in her throat.

"I still don't like this." Kurenai placed a hand on her hip. "You've been here for three years and you've never once gone on an overnight trip."

"First time for everything, I guess." Hinata slipped past Naruto and stepped out into the porch. The air was cold and crisp, the sky overcast.

Hinata breathed in the moisture and tried to memorize the feel of fall/winter in Sendai; the thick clouds and tall pines, the scents of earth and evergreen.

"You be careful." Kurenai followed Hinata out to the porch, giving up on snooping. "You hear?"

"I will."

Hinata wanted to hug Kurenai and tell her how much she'd miss her, but she didn't dare. Now wasn't the time for explanations.

Those would come after Hinata had put some distance between herself and town.

"You better get back inside before your guests come looking for you."

Kurenai paused before she nodded. "You're right about that. Family is more demanding than any friends I have ever had. See you in a couple of days."

Hinata saw Kurenai look at her from top to bottom, as if knowing that this will be their last time. Kurenai then hurried back inside, closing the door behind her.

"Ready?" Naruto asked as he carried the suitcase outside.

Hinata nodded, following him to the SUV.

Keiji climbed into the vehicle and Naruto shoved the suitcase into the back.

And it was time to leave.

Time, to say goodbye to the dream she'd been building for three years.

Time, to say goodbye to the little boy who had touched her heart and the man who might have found a place in it if she had given him a chance.

Hinata rounded the SUV as Naruto opened the door for her.

He met her eyes and looked like he was about to say something.

Then his gaze shifted, settling on a point beyond Hinata's shoulder.

His expression changed, his eyes hardening as he lunged toward her and shoved her sideways.

And the world exploded.

She screamed, Naruto's forward momentum carrying them both to the ground.

Bits of pavement flew into her face and nicked her skin as she fell, and Hinata screamed again.

"Shhhh. I want to hear him if he's coming." Naruto pressed her down, keeping her from doing what she wanted.

Jumping up and running.

"Dad!" Keiji called out and Naruto tensed.

He had forgotten that Keiji was in the car.

"Stay down, Keiji!" He shouted and Hinata could feel the frantic thud of his heart; hear the hard and quick rasp of his breath.

"Stay here." This time, he was talking to her, his lips brushing her ear as he spoke.

He levered up and eased to the corner of the SUV. Hinata started to move with him, but he shot her a look that froze her in her tracks.

"Stay there!" He hissed and Hinata can hear the fear and anger in his voice.

"Naruto—."

But he had already slipped around the side of the car and disappeared from view.

Hinata was left alone, lying on the ground, her ears ringing in the sudden silence.

She eased up and glanced into the window of the SUV.

Keiji had dropped down on to the floor, waiting there just like what his father had told him to. Hinata needed to put more distance between them, and make sure that if more bullets flew, they wouldn't explode through the car and hit Keiji.

She scrambled away, running across the street, hoping to lead her attacker away from Keiji; away from Kurenai's house.

Please. Please don't let Keiji, Naruto or Kurenai be hurt because of me.

A shot rang out, and Hinata dove for cover, rolling behind a pine tree.

Someone shouted, the sound carrying through the cold moist air. Another voice joined the first, this tie calling her.

"Hinata!" Naruto panted the words. "Get Keiji and take him into the house!"

Hinata whirled around, searching for him. She found him a few feet from Kurenai's house, crouched over a man half-hidden by thick shrubs.

Did he have black hair?

Black eyes?

The slim, muscular build that Hinata had once found so attractive?

She didn't have time to look.

Didn't have time to think about what it would mean if Sasuke really were lying on the ground beneath that shrub.

All she could do was run for the SUV, grab Keiji by the hand and race into the house.

Before I go back to school,

Here ya goes~!

Thanks for reading and reviewing~!

:D